News

News from FABBS

News Archive

Newsletter Signup

Subscribe Now

Lists*

FABBS News Highlights

Funding for Science—What Is The Path Forward?

Undoubtedly, changes in congressional and executive branch leadership portend shifting legislative and federal funding priorities. While the new Administration organizes, and Congress awaits President Trump’s first budget submission, uncertainty surrounding how agencies and programs will fare hangs in the balance.

Under normal circumstances, during the first week of February, the President would be sending Congress his proposed budget for the next fiscal year. This action officially

115th Congress Gets Organized for the Work Ahead

On January 3, the 115th Congress kicked off its first session with formal swearing in ceremonies. In the House of Representatives, the freshman class includes 52 members (26 Republicans and 27 Democrats), while the Senate has 7 new members (2 Republicans and 5 Democrats). This Congress is considerably more diverse with women and minorities making considerable gains. This increased diversity is reflected in the House and Senate leadership where women hold some of the highest positions. In the

More Budget Cuts On the Horizon

Despite the belt-tightening on the federal budget in recent years, in part a result of the ten-year budget caps created by the Budget Control Act of 2011, the new Administration is planning additional “dramatic” cuts, according to The Hill. “Donald Trump is ready to take an ax to government spending,” according to the news piece.

On the chopping block are programs at the Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, Transportation, and Justice. The National Endowment for the Arts and

Science Bill Passes as the 114th Congress Ends

Just as the 114th Congress ended its second session, the Senate and House champions of a bill to provide direction for programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF), White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and other federal science agencies, got the legislation across the finish line. The final bill reflected common ground between House and Senate science committee leaders. Senator John Thine (R-SD), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation,